What’s the Use In Writing? A Whole Lot More Than You Think
By Guest | March 26, 2011 |
Kath here. Please welcome Ollin Morales to WU today. Ollin’s blog {Courage 2 Create} chronicles the author’s journey as he writes his first novel. His blog offers writing advice as well as strategies to deal with life’s toughest challenges. Through his blog he also offers a writing consultation service designed to help readers drastically improve their writing skills. We love his positivity and holistic approach to the craft of writing. Enjoy!
There is a hole. A big one.
Hundreds of thousands of beginning writers are discovering this hole inside of them every year. In fact, the more I come into contact with published authors, the more I am finding that they, too, carry this gaping hole with them every day.
From this hole a nagging feeling arises like steam from the earth’s molten core, a steam that creeps up on all of us as we sit down to write. A nagging feeling that manifests itself as a big, fat, ugly question.
Ready for the question? Say it with me now:
What’s the use?
You think: I can certainly be a master of my craft, but I’m still at the whim of publishers, agents, and the rapidly changing market, so WHAT’S THE USE?
You think: I can certainly be published, but, even then, I might not get the widespread recognition and acclaim I was hoping for, so WHAT’S THE USE?
It’s a terrible question isn’t it? It gnaws at your inside, pulling you further and further down into the muck, until every time it’s just that much harder to pop open that laptop and make magic happen.
There is a hole. A big one. Can you see it now?
What is that hole?
It’s hard to explain. But the best way to describe it is to first talk about Buddhism.
(I know. You think I’m going on a tangent. I’m not. Don’t worry: everything ties up nicely at the end.)
Personally, I don’t see Buddhism just as a spiritual teaching, but as a wisdom teaching. What is wisdom but an ancient way of knowing how to be at peace with a seemingly chaotic world? Wisdom is the understanding and execution of old, practical, universal truths. Understanding and practicing these truths have helped humans throughout the ages to be at peace with chaos–and what worked for our ancestors can work for us, too.
You see, Buddhism teaches us that in fact there is no “hole” missing inside of us: we are already complete. We are already where we want to be, where we need to be, and where we should be. But it is our need to seek completion, approval, money, fame, things, or people’s acceptance that causes us to consistently feel that “hole” inside of us.
It is precisely this constant striving that is causing us writers, published or unpublished, to continually ask ourselves the question: “What’s the use in writing today?”
But what if we stopped striving? Even for just a brief moment. What would happen?
The hole would get filled.
Because we would finally realize that the “use” of writing is just that: to write. That the use of getting published is just that: to get published. That the use of making a living as a writer, even if you’re not a millionaire, is just that: to make a living as a writer.
I know what you’re going to say:
“But I feel like I’m so far away from where I’m supposed to be!”
You may feel far away from where you are supposed to be, but you aren’t. You are exactly where you are supposed to be.
Listen, nobody has ever looked at a tree, pointed to it and said:
“I can’t wait until that tree accomplishes something meaningful!”
That would be ridiculous. Because we would all agree that the tree has ALREADY accomplished something VERY meaningful: it has successfully accomplished being a tree.
Human beings are the only organisms on earth that are not satisfied with simply being themselves. They won’t have that kind of simplicity. We must achieve, we must acquire, we must consume, and we must get more and more and more and more. And in the rare cases when we DO achieve what we want, it is STILL not enough. Even then, we are still convinced that there is a hole missing inside of us that desperately needs to be filled.
At that point, only the “w” for wisdom can really fill the “hole,” and make you “whole” again.
What is that wisdom?
It is this simple, but ancient truth: that you don’t need to accomplish anything today, other than being yourself.
You do not need to strive to be somebody else, or be somewhere else, or have something else, no more than a tree has to strive to become a tree.
A tree just is, as you just are.
I know. This runs completely contradictory to everything you have ever heard, and it may be hard to wrap your head around it at first. But the truth is, what everyone else tells you is the true measure of your worth and your value–money, fame, things, everyone else’s opinion of you–has made you downright miserable day-in and day-out.
Let’s be honest. You’re sick of it. This constant “striving” is driving your crazy, and it’s this striving to measure up to other people’s standards that is getting in the way of your peace and well-being; and consequently, it is this lack of peace and well-being that is getting in the way of your writing, and leading you to consistently ask the question:
“What’s the use?”
Which is really only short hand for this question:
“What is the use of ME?”
If you search for the answer to that question in money, fame, and praise, you will always feel useless because these things are consistently in flux and can’t always be counted on.
But, if instead, you stop searching to fill in the “hole,” and be at peace with being “whole,” you might just discover how useful you really are.
Whether you’re writing your first novel, like me, or scrambling to get published, or whether you have already been published, please know that you are exactly where you are supposed to be; and today, instead of striving for achievement, I would like you to plant yourself at your writing desk and imagine that you are a great oak tree, rising from the ground. As you rise, I want you to become aware of the fact that you are already beautiful, already perfect, and already complete.
Notice that in that moment, being yourself brings you peace, joy, and fulfillment.
Finally, ask yourself:
What could be more useful than that?
Many thanks to today’s guest.
You can read more WU guest posts by visiting this link.
Great post Ollin – this one’s a keeper! Thank you for such positive and inspirational words.
You’re welcome!
A truly lovely sentiment, Ollin. I’m feeling my inner oak, even as I type this. I get caught up in seeking more than I should. Never have aspired to fame or big bucks through this, but still get hung up somehow.
My writing journey has been the most enlightening and fullfilling of my life. At least for today, I will sink my roots into knowing that, and drink it in. I have a huge, sprawling oak just outide my office window. Tomorrow, I’ll use it to remind me of today’s wisdom. Thanks.
Lovely that you have that oak outside your office window. What a wonderful reminder, and what a wonderful teacher that you may have been overlooking!
Oh, this is so beautiful. Thank you, thank you! Something I needed to be reminded of today.
Today, I will simply be.
Namaste.
You’re welcome LJ!
Thanks, Ollin — you always know how to inspire.
You’re welcome Amanda! Thanks for being such a loyal fan!
Some great thoughts. Really like “Listen, nobody has ever looked at a tree, pointed to it and said:
‘I can’t wait until that tree accomplishes something meaningful!’”
Good stuff.
Thanks Scott! I was hoping that analogy would bring it home. But it’s true, we should see ourselves as trees, already accomplished. We are truly beautiful when we just allow ourselves simply to be.
Very inspiring! And I really enjoyed this. HOWEVER, I would add that sometimes where people are in life might not be enough (emotionally, spiritually). And they may have to push themselves a little to change direction. There needs to be a balance between loving yourself exactly as you are, and taking risks and trying new things in order to grow and develop.
But that question, “What’s the use?” Yup–I certainly suffer from it and I liked your approach to quiet it down.
I loved your However.
But I would like to add my own However:
I think that even in those months we are enough. I was talking to a friend about this the other day, you might want to look at it as if you are climbing a mountain. You might see the peak and say: “I’m so far from that peak!”
But the truth is, the only way to get to that peak is by being exactly where you are, far below that peak. The lowest part of our journey is as crucial as our highest point. This takes people a while to truly understand, we don’t want to believe that us at our emotional and spiritual worst helps us to be lead to our best selves, but it is true.
Your worst is as crucial as your best. And to that I say: let it be.
correction: “even in those MOMENTS”
Thank-you for your kind words. I also struggle with the “why bother” monster. I have named it Apathy, and it may be the enemy of Creativity, or it may be the complement … like how red complements green!
Thanks Tamara.
Yes, I suppose it could be seen as a compliment. It makes sure we have a good answer to that question. If the question is why bother? Then we have to be able to come back with “Because I love it,” “Because it means something,” “Because its important,” “Because other people need this,” and it can help us prioritize exactly what we are writing about.
this may be the most important thing i’ve read all week. thank you.
Thanks Sarah. I’m glad it helped you.
Awesome post, Ollin. When I see that difference I always write with joy, rather than anxiety. As it should be. :-)
Yes. As it should be.
You know, you’re right about how we are “never satisfied” – EVER. People always want more. Nothing is ever enough. Yet, if we step back and look, we do indeed have what it takes to be happy today – with what we have today. I strive to be a better writer every day; however, today as I strive, I have to remember to be happy about the fact that I AM striving and my work today is actually better than yesterday. But I was happy yesterday as well. And I can be happy every day that I have the opportunity to be “me” and be able to write.
Thank you for an inspirational and thought-provoking topic.
Right? And I’ve found myself having to learn the lesson in this post over and over again. But it needs to be said: we really are okay just as we are.
Thank you for injecting inspriation to keep on keeping on!
Thanks E.J!
Your post reminds me of how civilizations often flower culturally at moments of great prosperity and exuberant joy! The hole you talk about is more like some writerly Dark Ages. So thanks for helping us drag ourselves out.
You’re welcome Allison!
Great post! I really needed to hear this. Not just about writing, but life in general!! Take care :)
You’re welcome Ana! You take care, too!
Really beautiful: “A tree just is, as you just are.” Really, truly words to not just write by, but to live by. There is so much peace in just being. And, as you say, it’s a lesson I’ve had to learn over and over again. Thank you.
You’re welcome Julia!
I’ve been trying to tell this to a friend of mine for years. Not from the Buddhist point of view but essentially the same message. She gets caught up in blank pages and word counts and how long until publication then what about bookstores and it’s all I can do not to tear my hair out in clumps.
Those are all tomorrow, I tell her. Tomorrow isn’t here yet so why are you freaking out? Isn’t today enough of a hassle? Do today’s wordcount and today’s networking and today’s blog post. Do that for enough days and you’ll not have any problems…
And she calms down for maybe three hours. /sigh I’ll direct her here, perhaps someone else can get through to her!
You know Tami, the best thing is to focus on ourselves. We cannot change others. This is wasted energy. I am learning to honor the energy I invest in anything every day. Please don’t invest your energy in worrying about your friend, focus on you instead. Good luck to you!
ps. I’m afraid we can’t change anyone but ourselves.
This is such sage advice, Ollin! One of the major things that trip many beginning writers up is this focus on the outcome, rather than the work, the process, and the journey itself.
Love your tree metaphor. It really drives home your point – Where you are right now is perfect.
Awesome!
Great summary. Enjoy the process. Don’t focus on the outcome. More often than not, the outcome comes of itself. Good luck to you!
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Another insightful and thoughtful article, Ollin.
Here is another ‘however’:
With all the world falling apart around us (it seems), I too often have a very hard time coming to grips with my writing offerings as being of value. I wonder too often, what is the use simply because even though I consider myself complete (or ‘OK’ as a person where I’m at), what I DO (write) seems rather superficial and pales in comparison to what the world really needs. Does it need another story? If the sky is falling, who cares about a story?
I imagine that maybe someone would like to escape their reality thru my words or story- it’s still awfully hard to make myself write it. Perhaps being a Libra I must weigh it against the idea of staying alert in the harsh realities or not putting one’s head in the sand.
P.S. my story addresses actual ideas to deal with hard times, but still, there’s a lot of pretending going on while I’m writing it. I often feel like the work is for naught. The world is burning like Rome and here I sit typing a fantasy, right?
I can’t wait to read your counter ‘however’!
Ahhh. Did you notice that you said “it seems.” Your wiser self was poking through there. But don’t put her in parenthesis next time. Give her a capitol and a period.
Because what I see is not destruction but creation. Don’t you see that everything that is happening is bringing us more together, is making us more conscious of our choices? Some higher force is making us deal with the consequences of each decision we make. We are being asked to be more responsible. We are being asked to be more compassionate and understanding to one another. We are being asked to see ourselves not as separate countries but as one world entity.
Change you perspective for a moment. Walk outside and got the park. Catch a squirrel and ask yourself – “has he stopped being a squirrel just because there was a tsunami somewhere? Has he begun to question whether to get nuts because of a middle east revolt?”
No, the squirrel keeps on being a squirrel because he knows that is his place in the world.
Fill your place in this world, and I guarantee you will start to see it’s positive affect in this, as you call it, tumultuous world.
A very inspiring post, if difficult to put into action sometimes! I have found that when I stop consciously striving for a particular goal, I achieve it anyway, as often my anxiety and impatience hinders me from getting there.
Great observation. And it’s a universal human truth. You’ll find this truth everywhere. In fact even Tolstoy mentions it in his works, and it’s the concluding thesis of his most famous work Ana Karenina, which some say is one of the best works of literature of all time.
You’re on to something. Keep believing in yourself.
Ollin,
Just what I needed to lift me up. That old living by comparison sure will do a job on me if I let it. This article has now given me substance to combat against it when it tries to raise its ugly head. There surely is enough trees around to be reminded of todays words. Thank you.
You’re welcome George!
Ollin, perfect insight for today. As I begin my journey into writing my first book, it’s so wonderful to be reminded that I am exactly where I should be and that things will fall into place as they should.
Ah, it’s almost crucial. Or else you can never finish! :)
[…] long ago, I wrote a post about how writing is incredibly useful, and I noticed that my readers were asking questions that didn’t have to do with the […]